What happens after the 4 appointments?

I got my 4 appointments scheduled for September. So what happens after that?  There are so many of you on here that are done your surgery now and I feel so in the dark about what happens.  What happened for you and how long after the 4 appointments did you receive your surgery date?

I had my first set of appointments in June and was given a list of goals to work on. I go back again in August and see everyone minus the psychologist and see if what I have done is enough. If it is then I will get my referral to the surgeon. If not I will go back in October and do it again. If at that point you don't meet their goals then they will reevaluate if you go ahead or are removed from program. 

I am feeling a little frustrated right now as the dietician bumped me up to 16-1800 calories a day and I am finding it alot of food. She did say if I gained weight that it was her fault and it wouldn't effect my progress in the program. She is trying to get my metabolism primed for post surgery.

Just work on the points they raised at orientation like giving up pop, increasing exercise and eating well. I started taking some of the supplements/vitamins they mentioned as well.

Good luck!

Karen

how are you making out? Are you struggling with what they want? I am following what they told me in orientation. I'm logging food, eating right (most days). And I am doing the exercises plus walking alot. The only problem is, I am going through sugar withdraw sooooooo bad. chocolate bars were my best friend for years.  If I can kick that habit....I am on my way....except at this point, it is consuming my every thought! In the past month, I have caved twice and ate chocolate and chips. agghhhh!  Today, I picked myself up and dusted off the chip crumbs and started on the right track again. I'm not gonna beat myself up because I had 2 bad days out of 30. Before this I had 30 bad days out of 30.

I'm doing ok but this hot weather makes it hard to be outside too much. Just taking Craving Change right now, I have 2 sessions left. Amy got me to add some weights to my exercises so working on that. I am also transitioning to being laid off for the summer, something that happens every year but it takes me a couple of weeks to find my niche.

I think the dietcian knows we aren't perfect every day but that makes us human. They just want us to make good choices so the transition after surgery will be easier. At least that is how I am taking what they are saying. I went through 2 intense weeks of pop withdrawl but I am good now. Just keep logging your food and exercising. It will all work out in the end.

Karenerickson wrote:

"I am feeling a little frustrated right now as the dietician bumped me up to 16-1800 calories a day and I am finding it alot of food. She did say if I gained weight that it was her fault and it wouldn't effect my progress in the program. She is trying to get my metabolism primed for post surgery."

Karen I know how you feel about having your calories bumped up. My dietician did the same for me as the team thought I was losing weight too fast and were concerned that my metabolism would slow down or I would 'eat' my own muscles to get protein. It took some getting used too but now I have no problem with it and I'm again losing weight (was stalled for a month but I think it was more due to another health matter than the added calories)

I follow my team's recommendations and so far its working. Karen - how are you liking Craving Change? Do you find it useful?

Thanks, Mike

Hi Mike, I am finding the Craving Change interesting, makes you stop and think about why I am eating what I am.

I know I will get used to the increased calories I did do it before and lost weight. I think I just got used to eating smaller portions when I was having gall bladder issues and the weight was coming off but since I had surgery for that, I am stalled. Jillian is hoping to get things moving again which is fine by me. I just need to make sure I have a couple of snacks so I am not trying to cram all the calories into 3 meals. I also am not a big eater when it is hot.

Sounds like you are making alot of progress too. Do you know how long until you have surgery? What one are you having? You are in Edmonton  or here? I go back to see the team in August so hoping for my referral then...

Yes I'm doing well. I was able to persuade the team that I don't need another calorie uptake as I'm getting lots of protein in my diet. I swim and do strength training consistently, plus I don't drive so lots of walking. The team leader said I probably have a fast metabolism. (LOL - I'm pretty laid back so I don't think so)

I'm working to reduce fat and increase muscle mass. I feel stronger now. However the exercise specialist at the clinic advise me to watch out for overtraining.

As for my surgery date, I was told by my surgeon's secretary that the average  wait time for surgery in Edmonton is 7-10 months after you sign your consent form.That would place my surgery somewhere between October and January. Its complicated by my needing hip replacement surgery so Edmonton wants to work that into the equation. Bariatric surgery will happen first but they are waiting for me to advise them of my hip surgery date and I don't see the hip surgeon until the end of August. Edmonton wants to give me enough time to recover from the bariatric surgery before my hip surgery. I don't mind the wait as it gives me more time to lose weight and add muscle. But I would like a definite timeline for everything.

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That is good that they will do the WLS before the hip replacement. Any weight you lose before that will help. My husband had his right hip replaced 2 years ago and although it didn't solve all of his problems he definetely has less pain and more mobility than pre surgery. Would be nice if it was all done before winter, that way you don't have to worry about slipping.

Best of luck!